How Much Do Your Services Cost?

I provide quality legal services at affordable hourly rates, but can also offer flat-fee value billing on many matters. While I don't post rates online, you will find them quite reasonable for my level of experience. I also work with clients to set cost targets, and tell them before budget caps are reached.

Mediation and dispute resolution services are offered at a half-day or full-day rate. Rates quoted after consultation are on a per-party basis, and are due prior to the commencement of each session. Mediation fees are inclusive of refreshments/meals and venue costs. Mediation services are available outside Austin with agreed upon travel costs in addition to fees.

What Sets You Apart?

As an attorney, my clients say they value my ability to give practical legal advice taking into account a real world business perspective. I'm easy to work with, and help build workable solutions. I want my clients to succeed, and I know that a one-sized-fits-all approach to the practice of law is not what most businesses are looking for in their attorney. As psychologist Abraham Maslow put it, “I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.” I approach every legal problem with a fresh set of eyes.

As a mediator, my unique work experience (both legal and non-legal) allows me to understand and clearly communicate a variety of interests and goals. As a peace officer, I learned how to deal with high-stress and often emotional situations. As a business owner, I came to understand the relentless challenges all businesses face. As a lawyer, I am well aware of the legal options (and associated costs) that people may pursue if they don’t feel they have a choice. These perspectives allow me to work with mediation clients in a productive, fair, and impartial manner.

Can We Get Help Before a Problem Arises?

As a business lawyer, my goal is to prevent your business from having to go to court (if possible). There are a number of proactive ways business owners can keep legal budgets down and mitigate risks. Whether reviewing employment practices and policies to spot wage and hour vulnerabilities, recommending best practices for ADA and OSHA compliance based on the type of work you do, or freshening up that old Master Services Agreement, I am often able to make several recommendations to help clients sleep better at night. I also provide proactive legal review of contracts for many clients on a regular basis, both during negotiations or as a last step before execution. Of course, I recommend my clients call whenever they see a potential situation start to unfold, so we can get on top of it before it spins out of control. As a professionally trained mediator, I usually encourage attempting to resolve a dispute informally through the process of mediation before deciding to file a lawsuit - but even if you or the other party already have lawyers, it’s still never too late to try mediation.

Do You Accept Litigation Matters?

I litigate on behalf of both companies and individuals, but am selective about the cases I agree to handle. I started as a litigator before I focused my practice on the more proactive legal needs of businesses. When my clients require representation in court, however, or when the right case presents itself, I am willing and able to bring or defend lawsuits in both state and federal court, advocate at mediations, represent clients in arbitrations, and/or act as settlement counsel.

I've Been Fired or Treated Unfairly at Work - Do You Represent Individuals?

Yes. Although most of my work involves representing business, I have helped individuals who have been unlawfully terminated or have had other adverse employment actions taken against them. I have represented plaintiffs in claims involving sexual harassment, disability discrimination under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), pregnancy discrimination, gender discrimination, retaliation for requesting or taking FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) leave, allegations of other improper conduct, whistleblower retaliation, and many other types of employment scenarios. I believe my having represented both employers and employees allows me to see both sides of a case and litigate more effectively. If you would like to discuss your situation to see if I can help, please contact me today.

Are You An Experienced Lawyer?

I have practiced law continuously since 2002; first as a litigator in a large firm, then as in-house counsel for a successful global start-up, and finally as an independent business attorney. My background provides a unique mix of real world experience for my clients to draw from. I began my legal career at a large firm, and I understand larger firms can be a necessity for companies who have certain types of legal needs, with the legal budgets to match. When I became a business owner myself, however, I was surprised to find few good options between self-help websites and the more expensive firms. I fill this legal services gap by providing high-quality representation at reasonable rates for local business owners. In addition, my own business experience keeps me focused on the voice of the customer - which means my clients are listened to, cared for, and prioritized. Believe it or not, this is a unique approach to practicing law.

Are You A Certified Mediator?

I am professionally trained in mediation and collaborative law. I am a professionally trained mediator and hold a certificate in compliance with the Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures Act (Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Sec. 154.052) from the Austin Dispute Resolution Center. My completed course work in mediation meets the standards of the Texas Mediation Trainer’s Roundtable. I am also trained in collaborative law by the Global Collaborative Law Council. In addition, as a former peace officer I gained hundreds of hours of training and real-world practical experience in crisis intervention, conflict management, and dispute resolution.

Do You Help With Digital Privacy Law Compliance?

Yes - I have been fortunate to represent several clients with real concerns about digital privacy law compliance. While not a new area of law, the changes that are taking place in the area of digital privacy law are occurring rapidly, frequently, and with real impact for businesses globally - not just in the EU. I have been participating in regular training and updates in this area of law and would be happy to discuss helping your own business in its efforts to respect the privacy rights of all individuals.

How Easy is it to Get Started?

Very easy! Simply contact me for a free no-obligation consultation. If it looks like I can help, we'll discuss rates and I'll send you an engagement letter to sign. If you need the attention of a specialist, or if you don't even have a legal problem, I am happy to refer you to other resources. For mediation matters, or other methods of alternative dispute resolution such as collaborative law, we can discuss the options available to you so you can decide on which may be best for your situation.

What is it Like to Use Your Services?

I enjoy the informality I have with my clients. Getting good legal help shouldn't ever feel like it slows you down. My services are just a phone call, face time, Skype, email, or text message away. I may not always have an immediate answer, but I can usually start looking into an issue right away while you get back to doing something to make your business successful. Of course, some clients appreciate it when I visit their office and meet their team, and I am happy to do that as well.

Mediations are conducted in half-day or full-day sessions. Mediations can be conducted at my offices, or at another location agreed upon by the parties.

If I Sign-Up As a Client and Call You For Help, What Happens Next?

I think of my approach as the legal equivalent of a carpenter’s advice to “measure twice, and cut once."

First, I don't assume the type and amount of legal work that will or will not be required to solve a client's issue. Instead, I help my clients calmly and thoughtfully consider and assess the unique circumstances of each situation. Talking through an issue helps clarify your own underlying business goals and identify the real potential risks.

Once that clarity is achieved, the type and amount of legal work required becomes apparent, and often a sound business strategy may be considered, with or without legal intervention. If legal help is needed, we will discuss a cost estimate and agree on a timeline for deliverables. Then you can get back to work - and hopefully with a lot less worries.

This website advertises professional legal services and dispute resolution services and is not intended to provide legal advice or provide advice on how you should choose to resolve a specific problem or dispute; we will not have an attorney-client relationship, I will not take any action on your behalf, and I will not provide dispute resolution services to you or anyone else until we have established a contractual relationship through a signed attorney engagement agreement, collaborative participation agreement, mediation agreement, or other signed written agreement; every matter is unique, results cannot be guaranteed, and past performance does not predict future outcomes.